Jazz Articles

Kayle Brecher: This is Life

by Jerome Wilson
September 29, 2016

Kayle Brecher is in the lineage of jazz singers like Sheila Jordan and Lisa Sokolov who use their voices as a serpentine instrument that slides through and around melodies as deftly as any jazz instrumentalist. On this CD she does her thing on a number of jazz standards, improvisations and original songs. She performs in a variety of instrumental settings. On “Not Alone," “Moon Dreams," and “ African Dream" she works with a simple accompaniment of guitar, bass ...

Kayle Brecher: Spirals And Lines

by Hrayr Attarian
June 25, 2013

Kaylé Brecher's 2012 Spirals and Lines is a brass-rich, dramatic exploration of the vocalist, arranger and composer's various influences, with an understated yet solid political and social leitmotif.A delightfully original trio interprets singer/songwriter Bob Dylan's “Paths of Victory" as a New Orleans-style marche. Propelled by drummer Erik Johnson's precise and rumbling beats, Brecher delivers the lyrics with exuberant humor with an undercurrent of dark satire. Her lilting vocals mirror sousaphonist Jimmy Parker's surprisingly nimble and thrilling solo.

Kayle Brecher: Spirals And Lines

by Dan Bilawsky
March 13, 2013

Sheila Jordan's name often comes up as a comparative reference point for those who are unfamiliar with the work of vocalist/composer/arranger Kayle Brecher; this link is an audibly obvious one on Spirals And Lines, but the connection goes deeper than sound. Jordan's uncompromising and creative voice, even more so than her literal voice, helped to put her on a pedestal in the eyes of the jazz vocal community, and Brecher taps into this spirit in her work. ...

Kayle Brecher: Spy Music

by Todd S. Jenkins
November 30, 2005

The remarkable Kaylé Brecher ranks among Philadelphia's finest jazz singers; nay, among the best the East has to offer. Over the past decade she has distinguished herself as a fearless interpreter of song, a subtle stylist with an instrumentalist's creativity. On this, her fourth album, she presents the best evidence yet that she is ready to burst onto the main stage of American jazz. Spy Music is rife with the sort of creative wisdom that has characterized ...

David Dzubinski: Recyclical

by Todd S. Jenkins
November 3, 2004

This marvelous debut recording reveals David Dzubinski as one of the most uniquely creative, introspective pianists on the contemporary Pennsylvania scene. Like many of the best post-boppers, he displays an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz styles without sounding too derivative. One of his more prominent influences is Dave Burrell, who co-produced this disc with Dzubinski's wife, vocalist Kayl' Brecher. This is a fascinating album that reveals new layers and textures with each successive spin.

At times, especially on the ...

Kayle Brecher: Urban Objects

by Todd S. Jenkins
October 1, 2000

As we press on into the new millennium, the art of vocal jazz often appears to be in sad stagnation, a dull morass of worn-out standard rehashes and textbook lounge-lizard delivery. Thankfully, most thankfully, there is Kayle.

Pennsylvania diva Kayle Brecher breaks more new ground with her exquisite third album. As always, the vivacious Ms. Brecher injects bold new spirit into familiar material and conjures up some exciting, original surprises. She is a master at finding the hidden potential in ...